Tin War and Co. Joss House
Date Published
: Temples / Joss House
: Sydney
: Sydney
: 1875
Tin War and Co. Joss House
"The Chinese have built a joss-house at Sydney at a cost of £1.000."
South Australian Weekly Chronicle, Saturday 7 May 1887, p.22.
"A Chinese Joss-house.
The destructive fire, this morning, will for some time at least prevent the Chinese residents of Sydney from holding their mystic ceremonies at their joss-house, which has for years past been established on the premises leased by Tin War and Co. Upon inspecting the various rooms of the premises this morning one of the largest apartments on the first floor directly over-looking the street, was found very tastefully ornamented with Chinese pictures, ornaments, looking-glasses, &c. The room was used as a joss house, and the furniture and fittings were very attractive. At the principal end was a large piece of furniture somewhat resembling a cheffonier, upon which stood a gorgeously painted arch-shaped piece of Chinese woodwork. Beneath the arch and covered by curtain was one of the gods so devoutly worshipped by Mongolians. Suspended in front of the god was a glass supposed to have contained incense. Then there was also in the room a horse-hair drawing-room suite, and two large tables. Scrolls of paper bearing Chinese characters were hung in great profusion on the sides of the walls, and especially in the vicinity of the god. A glass chandelier of about twelve gas lights hung from the centre of the ceiling. In the general wreck caused by the fire having destroyed a portion of the room the chandelier now hangs, very much broken, if not entirely destroyed. Adjoining this room were small apartments probably used as dressing rooms or rooms or sleeping. As viewed this morning the room was in great disorder, but there can be little doubt that when it was filled with Chinese worshippers engaged in their mysterious rites and ceremonies the scene appeared very interesting. Early this morning the Chinese god was removed from the room with reverential care by some leading Chinese residents here."
